Owen Smith’s voting in Parliament

Owen Smith is a Labour MP, and on the vast majority of issues votes the same way as other Labour MPs.

This is a selection of Owen Smith’s votes.

• Consistently voted against greater restrictions on campaigning by third parties, such as charities, during elections Show votes 0 votes for, 12 votes against, between 2013–2016
• Consistently voted against fewer MPs in the House of Commons Show votes 1 vote for, 6 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2016
• Almost always voted against increasing the rate of VAT Show votes 3 votes for, 16 votes against, 7 absences, between 2010–2019
• Almost always voted for paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability Show votes 12 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2016
• Almost always voted against reducing housing benefit for social tenants deemed to have excess bedrooms (which Labour describe as the "bedroom tax") Show votes 0 votes for, 16 votes against, 2 absences, between 2012–2018
• Voted against raising England’s undergraduate tuition fee cap to £9,000 per year Show votes 0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2010

We have lots more plain English analysis of Owen Smith’s voting record on issues like health, welfare, taxation and more. Visit Owen Smith’s full vote analysis page for more.

Owen Smith has hardly ever rebelled against their party in the current parliament. Find out more.

Last updated: 25 Jun 2019

Recent appearances

• Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Marriage of same-sex couples in Northern Ireland 9 Jul 2019

  Let me agree with the hon. Gentleman partly. As I shall talk about in a moment, I do believe that this place should legislate on the late Sir Anthony Hart’s recommendations on historic abuse. I am loth to suggest that there is a hierarchy of rights, but there are certain inalienable universal human rights that should be observed and afforded to people in every part of the world, including...

• Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Marriage of same-sex couples in Northern Ireland 9 Jul 2019

  Let me finish this point then I will gladly give way. My simple plea is that we must not let the perfect be the enemy of the good in this place. We should legislate to provide for these people. I think that that will happen, and I am pleased about that, but I urge the Secretary of State to get on with it.

• Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill: Marriage of same-sex couples in Northern Ireland 9 Jul 2019

  I agree wholeheartedly with the hon. Gentleman. It should not be beyond the wit of man to create some sort of process and a mechanism to do this, but, to date, it has been beyond the wit of the men and women in this place and in Northern Ireland to do so. That is because of the thorny issue of how we define a victim in Northern Ireland. I understand that that is a complex area from which...

More of Owen Smith’s recent appearances

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Profile

Labour MP for Pontypridd

Entered the House of Commons on 6 May 2010 — General election

• Wikipedia page
• Early Day Motions signed by this MP

Social Media

• @owensmith_mp
• https://facebook.com/owensmith4mp

Expenses

• Expenses from 2010 onwards

Topics of interest

Owen Smith campaigned to remain in the European Union Source: BBC

• Wales
• Department for Work and Pensions
• Treasury
• HM Treasury
• Health
• Universal Credit
• Departmental Procurement
• Child Care
• Children: Maintenance
• Fit for Work Programme

Currently held offices

• Member, International Trade Committee (since 25 Mar 2019)

Other offices held in the past

• Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (14 Jun 2017 to 23 Mar 2018)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (14 Sep 2015 to 27 Jun 2016)
• Shadow Secretary of State for Wales (14 May 2012 to 14 Sep 2015)
• Shadow Minister (Wales) (8 Oct 2010 to 7 Oct 2011)
• Member, Welsh Affairs Committee (12 Jul 2010 to 28 Nov 2011)

Previous MPs in this constituency

• Kim Howells
• Brynmor John
• Arthur Pearson
• David Davies
• Thomas Jones

Public bill committees (Sittings attended)

• Fisheries Bill Committee (11 out of 11)
• Health and Social Care Bill Committee (38 out of 40)
• Coinage (Measurement) Bill Committee (1 out of 1)
• Finance (No. 4) Bill Committee (4 out of 14)

Numerology

Please note that numbers do not measure quality. Also, representatives may do other things not currently covered by this site. More about this

• Has spoken in 46 debates in the last year — average amongst MPs. See all Owen Smith’s speeches
• Has received answers to 3 written questions in the last year — below average amongst MPs.
• Replied within 2 or 3 weeks to a low number of messages sent via WriteToThem.com during 2015, according to constituents.
• Has voted in 75.57% of votes in this Parliament with this affiliation — below average amongst MPs. (From Public Whip)
• This MP’s speeches, in Hansard, are readable by an average 17–18 year old, going by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score.
• 75 people are tracking this MP — email me updates on Owen Smith’s activity
• Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 338 times in debates — above average amongst MPs. (Why is this here?)